The Concept of a Compact Profile Agricultural Tractor Suitable for Use on Specialised Tree Crops

Abstract

This study firstly examined certain methods of vineyard management typically adopted in Apulia for both table grapes and wine grapes. In the later phenological stages, guyot or spurred cordon vineyards have extremely abundant vegetation, which drastically limits the space available between the rows for the passage of a tractor, even for a narrow-track vehicle. On the other hand, vegetation in tendone vineyards is situated at approximately 1.90 m above the soil surface, so that total tractor height must be compatible with this cultivation method. Foliage canopies in these types of vineyard cultivation system were evaluated at the times of their maximum growth in order to identify the maximum possible size of a prototype tractor that would be able to pass between vineyard rows without interfering in any way with the vegetation and fruits. Using the results of field measurements, it was established that the prototype tractor must have a maximum height of 1600 mm, with a minimum front axle track of less than 1100 mm and a back axle track of less than 1000 mm. A tractor built to these specifications is now being tested in order to compare its performance with that of other tractors commonly used in Apulia in various agricultural contexts.